Manuals and Guides

All manuals listed below are in Adobe's Portable Document Format (PDF) and will require the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view. You can download Acrobat Reader for FREE by clicking the following link:

2009 Washington State Juvenile Nonoffender Benchbook

Education and CASA Volunteers: Advocating for "ample provision for the education" of children in dependency in Washington State

 All children in Washington State, regardless of ability or disability, have legal rights to an education that will prepare them to participate in and contribute to society. This guidebook begins with a look at the unique educational needs of children from birth through age eighteen who are dependent on the state. The focus then shifts to actions that Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs and volunteers can take to make sure the educational needs of individual children are met.

 This guidebook is specifically designed for CASA program staff to use in making sure all children referred to their program are getting “ample provision for education” as guaranteed in the Washington State Constitution.

 The Stuart Foundation provided grants to the Washington State Association of CASA/GAL Programs for the Education Advocacy Project. Washington State CASA administered the project and produced this manual with the assistance of the local CASA/GAL programs in Benton/Franklin, Chelan/Douglas, Cowlitz, Island, Okanogan, Snohomish, and Walla Walla counties.

Four Keys for CASA: Unlocking doors to permanent homes for abused and neglected children

by Washington State CASA

Click here to download

After 4 years and countless experiences of volunteers and children, best practices from the Achieving Permanence Project sites are collected and organized for publication. The Four Keys for CASA include 1) Collaboration and Community Commitment; 2) Training Volunteer Advocates for Legally Free Children; 3) Supervising and Nurturing the Process; 4) Resources and tools to use along the way. The Four Keys manual is designed for use by program managers and volunteer coordinators to help in preparation, training and supervision of volunteers working with children who are legally free for adoption. Forms and checklists that programs have found useful as children move through the system toward permanence are included in the resource section.

The Stuart Foundation provided grants to the Washington State Association of CASA/GAL Programs for the Achieving Permanence Project. Washington State CASA administered the project and produced this manual with the assistance of the local CASA/GAL programs in Benton/Franklin, Chelan/Douglas, Cowlitz, Island, Okanogan, Pierce, Snohomish, Walla Walla, and Yakima counties.

National CASA/GAL Volunteer Training Curriculum & Volunteer Manual, 3rd ed

by National CASA

Click here to download

The Volunteer Manual is organized into ten chapters and is the companion piece for CASA core trainings. Designed specifically for the adult learner and those new to the idea of CASA, it can still be condsidered an excellent resource for experienced volunteers. Chapters include "Understanding Families", "Exploring Cultural Awareness", "Understanding Children", "Introducing the Law and Child Protection System."